The Gables Care Home

Updated 21 October 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Gables Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave a short period notice on the morning of the inspection to ascertain the situation at the home with regard to Covid-19 infections and to allow the home to prepare for the inspection to be carried out safely, with minimal risk to people living there.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the previous inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and received email information from the local authority safeguarding adults team. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager, a senior care worker and a care worker.

Updated 21 October 2021

About the service

The Gables Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 11 people who live with mental health issues, including both younger and older adults. At the time of the inspection there were 11 people using the service.

The home is a converted house in Bedlington Station. It has accommodation on the ground and first floor. There is no lift or stair lift to access the upper floor. There is a lounge area on the ground floor and a small dining room. People have access to shared bathroom and washing facilities and a shared laundry area. There is a secure courtyard area at the rear of the building where people can access the outside safely.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Improvements had been made to the service to help keep people safe. Changes had been made to the way infection risks were managed, including the risks associated with COVID-19. Improvements had been made to the management of people’s finances, promoting them to be more independent. Staff recruitment processes were robust and staffing levels had been reviewed and improved, particularly during the night shift, although these needed further review. We have made a recommendation about this.

People’s choices and individual needs were assessed and supported. Care plans followed the advice of key professionals. Staff training had been improved and there was evidence of an induction when new staff started at the service. People were supported to maintain their health and well-being and the service worked closely with a range of health professionals. People said they enjoyed the meals and were involved in setting menus and food preparation. Improvements had been made to the environment of the home, although further updating was required. We have made a recommendation about this.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Care plans had improved and contained more detailed information about how people should be supported and encouraged to live as healthy lives as possible. People were involved in a range of activities and were encouraged to access the local community whilst following current COVID-19 guidance. Contact with family and friends was positively encouraged.

Improvements had been made to the management of the service and increased quality management and audit processes were in place. An overview of the service by the provider needed to be fully formalised. We have made a recommendation about this. People and staff were involved in decision making. The service worked in partnership with a range of professionals.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update: The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 19 November 2020) and there were multiple breaches of regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 13 October 2020. Breaches of legal requirements were found.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led which contain those requirements.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Gables Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.